The golden-throated barbet (Psilopogon franklinii) belongs to the family of Asian barbets, the Megalaimidae.
The golden-throated barbet species is distributed in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia. These barbet species have bristles fringing their bills. These barbets are polytypic species.
Appearance, physical description and identification
The golden-throated barbet (Psilopogon franklinii) is an Asian barbet, measuring 20 to 25 cm in length and weighing 50 to 100 grams.The adult golden-throated barbet has overall green plumage. The crown and the upper throat are yellow. The lower throat is whitish. The forehead is reddish. There is a broad blackish eye stripe.
The sides of the face is silvery gray. The upperparts are dark green and the lowerparts are pale green. The tail is short and the undertail is bluish. Both the male and female look similar. The juveniles have duller plumage.
The bill is dark and heavy. It is fringed by bristles. The irises are dark brown. The feet are gray. Their call is a trill followed by "kukow..kukow..kukow" sound.
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| 1.Birds of India - Image of Golden-throated barbet - Psilopogon franklinii by JJ Harrison |
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| 2.Indian birds - Picture of Golden-throated barbet - Psilopogon franklinii by Francesco Veronesi |
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| 3.Birds of India - Photo of Golden-throated barbet - Psilopogon franklinii by Francesco Veronesi |
Origin, geographical range and distribution
The golden-throated barbet species are distributed in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia.In India, these barbet species are distributed in the states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram.
The golden-throated barbet nominate subspecies P. f. franklinii is distributed in Nepal, Bhutan, northeast India, north Myanmar, south China (Tibet, Yunnan, southwest Guangxi), northern Thailand, northern Laos and northern Vietnam.
The golden-throated barbet subspecies P. f. ramsayi is distributed in central Myanmar, northwest Thailand and Malaysia.
Ecosystem and habitat
These golden-throated barbet species have high forest dependence. They normally occur in altitudes from 900 to 2700 meters.The natural ecosystems and habitats of these golden-throated barbet species include, montane forests, tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, evergreen forests, moist montane shrublands, moist deciduous forests, steep ravines and riverine habitats.
Diet and feeding behavior
The diet of these golden-throated barbet consists mainly of fruits. Berries, wild fruits, orchard fruits and figs are their primary food. Occasionally they feed on insects.Reproduction and breeding habits
The breeding season of the golden-throated barbet species is from March to August in India. In Malaysia the breeding season is from February to May. The nests are excavated in trees. These birds are monogamous and territorial.Migration and movement patterns
These golden-throated barbet species are non-migratory resident birds. The birds in higher altitudes may move to lower levels during winter.Post breeding, the juveniles may disperse and establish in new locations within the range. They may make local movements for feeding and breeding within their range.
Golden-throated barbet - Quick Facts
- Scientific name: Psilopogon franklinii
- Species author: (Blyth, 1842)
- Synonyms/Protonym: Bucco Franklinii Blyth, 1842, Megalaima franklinii
- Family: Megalaimidae › Piciformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
- Vernacular names: English: Golden-throated barbet, Chinese: 金喉拟鴷, French: Barbu de Franklin, German: Weißwangen-Bartvogel, Spanish: Barbudo de Franklin, Russian: Золотистогорлый бородастик, Japanese: キンノドゴシキドリ, Malay: Burung Takor Gunung
- Other names: Necklaced Barbet
- Distribution: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia
- Diet and feeding habits: fruits, berries, figs
- IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
Conservation and survival
The global population size of the golden-throated barbet (Psilopogon franklinii) has not been quantified. The overall population trend of the species is considered to be stable.Throughout its range, this barbet species is reported to be common to locally very common. The generation length is 8.5 years. Its distribution size is about 4,010,000 sq.km.
Habitat alteration and destruction and capture for pet-trade are the main threats that are endangering the survival of this barbet species.
IUCN and CITES status
The golden-throated barbet (Psilopogon franklinii) does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable either under the range size criterion, or under the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion.The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the barbet species and has listed it as of "Least Concern".
The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for golden-throated barbet (Psilopogon franklinii).
| Taxonomy and scientific classification of Psilopogon franklinii | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Piciformes |
| Family: | Megalaimidae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Psilopogon |
| Species: | P. franklinii |
| Binomial name: | Psilopogon franklinii |
| IUCN status listing: |
 Least Concern |
The two recognized subspecies of the golden-throated barbet (Psilopogon franklinii) are: Psilopogon franklinii franklinii (Blyth, 1842) and Psilopogon franklinii ramsayi (Walden, 1875).
1.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Megalaima_franklinii_-_Mae_Wong.jpg (cropped)
Image author: JJ Harrison | License: CC BY 3.0
2.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Golden-throated_Barbet_-_Bhutan_S4E0602_(15788610633).jpg (cropped)
Image author: Francesco Veronesi | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 as on 10/26/17
3.Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/francesco_veronesi/34246343936/ (cropped)
Image author: Francesco Veronesi | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 as on 10/26/17
Current topic in Birds of India: Golden-throated barbet - Psilopogon franklinii.